CHERRYVALE — While Humboldt High’s vaunted passing attack sputtered a bit defense, the Cubs’ defense was there to pick up the slack.
Not only did Humboldt keep host Cherryvale High out of any sort of scoring position in the second half of a five-point game, the Cub defense was responsible for the game’s deciding points.
Humboldt’s Jacob Carpenter recovered a Charger fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, erasing a 16-14 deficit.
The Cubs were able to nurse their 21-16 win down the stretch with a key drive to retain possession the last three minutes of the game.
The victory lifts Humboldt to 4-1 on the season. They play fellow 4-1 Tri-Valley League foe Caney Valley next Friday.
“Our defense really made the difference,” Humboldt assistant coach Mike Miller said. “They gashed us with a couple of long runs in the first half, but we were able to eliminate those after halftime. And while we shot ourselves in the foot on offense a few times, the kids made some huge plays down the stretch on offense.”
One week after throwing for 388 yards, Humboldt quarterback Nathan Whitcomb completed 6 of 22 passes for 95 yards against Cherryvale.
“He under-threw a couple, and the ones on target, we dropped,” Miller said.
Whitcomb and Jacob Carpenter shared high-rushing honors for Humboldt with 41 yards apiece.
Tanner McNutt pulled in three receptions for 39 yards. Noah Thornbrugh’s only catch also covered 39 yards.
Carpenter gave Humboldt a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game on a four-yard touchdown run.
Cherryvale scored 16 unanswered points to pen the second quarter before Whitcomb pulled Humboldt to within two, 16-14, with a 29-yard touchdown run with 3:14 left in the second quarter.
Carpenter’s key fumble recovery with 2:19 left in the half capped the scoring. It was Humboldt’s only recovery of eight Cherryvale fumbles on the night.
“They had some troubles snapping the ball,” Miller said.
Tyler Gean added 14 tackles for the Cubs. Trey Johnson added eight stops.
Humboldt 7-14-0-0—21
Cherryvale 0-16-0-0—16
Humboldt — Carpenter 4 yd run (Boring kick)
Cherryvale — Thornton 4 yd run (run failed)
Cherryvale — Safety (Cub ball carrier tackled in end zone)
Cherryvale — Thornton 33 yd run (Thornton run)
Humboldt — Whitcomb 29 yd run (Boring kick)
Humboldt — Carpenter fumble recover in end zone (Boring kick)
Humboldt Cherryvale
First downs 11 8
Rushing-yds 29-105 48-107
Passing yds 95 16
Total offense 200 123
Passing 6-22-0 1-3-0
Fumbles/lost 0/0 8/1
Punts 6-41 9-32
Penalties 6-65 8-65
